HP Slate 500

Well designed. Two cameras. Bundled with useful accessories including a carrying case and a dock/stand with additional USB ports and HDMI out. Since its a Windows-based device, you can install most PC software. Supports Flash.

Cons

Lacks touch-screen customization. Windows elements aren't always finger-friendly, so the bundled digital pen or a connected keyboard/mouse are a must for heavy-duty productivity.

Bottom Line

Despite inevitable comparisons, HP's first tablet isn't really an Apple iPad competitor at all. With Windows 7 Professional and other business-friendly features, it's aimed straight at the corporate set.

Preview: After almost a year of speculation and plenty of guessing, HP has finally released its Slate tablet. But it's not what you might expect. Less like an Apple iPad and more like a laptop sans physical keyboard, HP is marketing the Slate 500 as a business device.

The tablet runs Windows 7 Professional, so it's focused more on productivity than entertainment. HP is pushing it as highly customizable with business applications for various vertical markets like education, hospitality, and insurance and real-estate industries. We got some hands-on time with the Slate 500, and while it seems to be a well-designed device, we have some concerns about the usefulness of Windows 7 Professional in a tablet form factor. The OS doesn't seem to lend itself too well to a touch-screen experience, and the included digital pen is a necessity. We'll put the Slate 500 through its paces in the PC Labs as soon as we can get our hands on a review unit.

Built around a 1.86GHz Intel Atom Z540 processor, the Slate's touch-based interface felt zippy whether we were simply moving around in Windows, using the camera, or surfing the Web in Internet Explorer. Also inside is 2GB of RAM along with 64GB of solid-state storage. There's an SD card slot on the left panel to expand that 64GB.

Smaller than the iPad (9.2 by 5.9 by 0.6 inchesHWD), the HP Slate 500 weighs the same 1.5 pounds, but feels bulkier despite its slightly more petite 8.9-inch capacitive touch screen. The 1,024-by-768-pixel display is surrounded by a brushed-aluminum frame. The back of the device is covered with textured rubber that helps make the tablet feel sturdier, and less likely to slip out of your hand. A Home button is situated on the right top panel, rather than at the bottom of the screen where you might expect it to be.

There's no 3G connectivity; the Slate 500 integrates 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi. HP reps explained that in many business settings like schools, hospitals, or hotels, for example, always-on connectivity wouldn't be necessary since Wi-Fi would be likely be available. Typing on the on-screen keyboard was fine, but integrated Bluetooth means you can attach a wireless keyboard and/or a mouse. Other features include two camerasone is front-facing and captures VGA-quality video, and there's a 3-megapixel still and video camera on the back panel.

There aren't many preloaded applications, but the Slate 500 does come with Evernote, the cloud-based memo software, and you could easily add Microsoft Office, since it is a Windows-based device. Unlike Apple's iPad, the Microsoft Explorer browser supports Flash.

In the box, you get the very-necessary digital pen(some of the elements in Windows are too small to hit accurately on the 8.9-inch screen), and a faux leather carrying case (there's a space to store the pen in the case, since it doesn't slide into, or attach to the Slate itself). Also, there's a dock/stand that props the tablet up at about a 45-degree angle, which has two more USB ports (there's one on the tablet itself) and an HDMI-out connector.

The Slate 500 won't be the only tablet from HP, the company confirmed a WebOS-based tablet with a consumer focus is coming next year. Meanwhile, the Slate 500 retails for $799 and is available now at HP's site.

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Heading up PCMag's reviews coverage, Wendy Sheehan Donnell is lucky enough to spend her days working with words and drooling over shiny gadgets inside the big glass box that is PC Labs in New York City. Formerly the managing editor for the consumer electronics and mobile reviews teams, she can typically be found knee deep in home theater and audio gear, digital cameras, tablets, mobile phones, and the accompanying accessories. She's had a serious crush on Apple for more than 25 years, but a tumultuous...
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